“Thank you!” they exclaim, then head to the next one.
“Let me know if you need anything,” I tell Heidi.
“Just a husband who will dress up with me like you and Archer,” she says, lowering her voice. “Married people goals.”
I lean in and whisper. “I’ve perfected blow jobs.”
She shakes her head and snorts. “You’ll have to give me your secrets later.”
We snicker, then I follow the group who’s already at the next one. The adults stand back as the kids walk up, and I smile at how protective we look—like real-life superheroes.
Sadie and Owen are having a great time, and a few parents stop to have their little ones take pictures with us. But of course, Sassy continues to steal the show. As we pass the pumpkin carving area, Sadie asks if we can do one, and we all agree.
“There’s a contest going on right now, too,” one of the teenagers says. “You just put your pumpkin up on the ledge over there to be displayed. You can pick them all up after trick-or-treating. Judging starts at 6:30.”
“I’m gonna win!” Owen announces confidently.
Owen and Sadie start carving, giggling, and teasing each other. It’s messy, but they’re having a blast pulling out the guts with their bare hands. Once they’ve finished putting silly faces on their pumpkins, we help carry them to the front.
“I bet you’ll win,” Noah tells Owen. “That’s a freakin’ masterpiece.”
“I dunno, Sadie’s is really good,” he offers, giving her a sweet compliment. Sadie gives him a toothy grin as they walk back.
“This is so incredible,” Annie says. “Really giving me small-town vibes.”
“Just wait till Christmas in Lawton Ridge.” I wink.
“You know, this is a good place to raise a kid,” Gemma tells her, and Katie agrees.
Annie glances at Archer with a smirk. “So I’ve heard.”
“It’s a great place to raise an adult too.” Archer interlocks his fingers with mine.
Tyler chuckles. “I don’t think I’d ever want to live anywhere else with my family.”
“Same,” Noah agrees.
“Mom! They gave me a toothbrush and toothpaste!” Sadie runs up to Annie.
She snickers. “It’s the local dentist, sweetie.”
“She was nice. Told us to brush and floss after we eat our candy!”
“Brilliant.” Archer chuckles.
“She’s been doing that since I was a kid,” I say. “But I’m sure you’re better at brushing than me.”
Sadie nods as she pets Sassy on the head.
Archer leans in and whispers in my ear. “Yeah, ’cause you’re my dirty girl.”
A blush sweeps over my cheeks.
After we’ve visited every booth and eaten too many corn dogs, we go through the hay maze. It’s clearly built for kids, and we can see over the hay wall, but we follow Owen and Sadie through it. They get lost a few times and fall into a fit of laughter. It takes us nearly twenty minutes to reach the end, and it’s obvious that Sadie’s growing tired. She and Owen got so much candy. Their bags were so full, they had to get another one. The twins and Scarlett are getting fussy, and even Owen’s yawning, so we know it’s time to call it a night.
“Please don’t be a stranger,” Gemma tells Annie as we hug and say our goodbyes.
Since we’re parked a few blocks away, Archer carries Sadie to the car. She’s nearly fallen asleep by the time we get there.
On the way home, Sassy lies on my lap while Archer drives us home. Even she’s exhausted from all the excitement.
“Thank you so much for making this such an enjoyable evening. I had a really good time,” Annie whispers.
Archer turns to meet her gaze. “What do you think? You like it here?”
Annie laughs. “I actually love it. Well, from what I’ve seen anyway, but I get really good vibes.”
“Then I guess that means you should move! You are family, after all.” I take the opportunity to remind her how much we’d love for her to be here.
She sighs. “I dunno. I’d need to find a job first.”
“You’re just in luck. The school nurse just retired, and they’ve been searching for someone with the right qualifications to replace her. Mrs. Abernathy told me in the grocery store yesterday.”
A wide grin spreads across her face. “Seriously?”
“You should apply, sis. You’ve got a lot of experience, and you’re great with kids. I bet you’d be a shoo-in,” Archer says.
“I would love that.” Annie sighs, and I can tell she’s contemplating it.
“And hey, if that doesn’t work out, I could always use another manager at the boutique.”
“Really?” Annie asks. “You’d hire me?”
“Absolutely!”
“And that means I’d be closer to you two. Sadie seems to love it here too. All the kids were so nice to her tonight. Especially sweet Owen. She’d fit right in.” Annie’s lost in thought as we pull into the driveway. Archer slides Sadie out of the back seat and carefully carries her inside, then puts her in my room.
She speaks up when it’s just the three of us hanging out in the kitchen. “Oh my God. Am I really considering moving?”
“Yep! And it’s going to be great. You can even use my spare room until y’all find a place,” I offer, removing the headpiece from my hair. Archer’s eyes soften. It’s not something we’ve talked about, but I know how much it’d mean for him to have Annie living here.
“Then we’ll finally be able to be one big happy family,” Archer says, pulling us both into a hug.
Annie and I both laugh.
“I can’t wait!” I beam with excitement.
“Honestly, me either,” Annie says. If Lawton Ridge can win me over in less than twelve hours, there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s where we’re meant to be.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
ARCHER
It’s Everleigh’s favorite time of the year, which means the house is decked out in red, green, and gold. The tree is trimmed, and my closet is full of Christmas sweaters. And I can’t even be mad about it because it makes my wife happy, and that’s all that matters. I love seeing her eyes light up when she sees all the decorations. This year, Everleigh’s even added a train set that moves on a track around the tree. Sassy loses her freaking mind every time it starts playing music, but it’s kinda funny.
Since it’s our first Christmas as husband and wife, I want to make it extra special, but it’s going to be hard. Everleigh’s extra when it comes to the holidays, but I think I figured out what will make this year stand out.
At least I hope.
Annie and Sadie just flew in, and I know Everleigh’s overly excited about them being here. They’re staying in our spare room until their place is ready, but the moving truck won’t arrive for a few more days.
“Everleigh?” I look around the house and find her in the bathtub. “There ya are. We’re supposed to be at Jerry and Belinda’s in an hour.” They’ve invited everyone over for Christmas Eve dinner.